Www.burnhamnationwide.com Solar Inspections by Drew Johnson and John Dalton Burnham Energy, Inc

www.burnhamnationwide.com

Solar Inspectionsby

Drew Johnson and John DaltonBurnham Energy, Inc.


• Introduction

• Background

• Burnham’s Role

• Inspection Methodology

• Dirty Dozen

• Burnham’s Services


Burnham Energy, Inc. is a subsidiary of Burnham Nationwide, the nation’s premier permitting, code compliance and sustainability consulting services company.

• 3,000 cities across the United States • Fortune 500 companies • 20 years of experience • 100,000 permits nationwide

Burnham Energy, Inc. focuses primarily on providing solar services, particularly PV inspection services.

• Inspected in over 25 states• Network of 20+ inspectors• 3,000+ inspections• NABCEP certified or equivalent

Introduction


Burnham Inspection Methodology

Our inspectors are trained to look at anentire system and document all aspectsof the system.

We have an in-house staff that reviewsthe inspections and makes additional commentary ensuring that NEC guidelines are met and manufacturesspecifications have been followed

Once all of the documentation isreviewed reports are produced accompanied by any other datapertinent to the system.

Link to report example: Click here

1.Inspect components on the roof:•Modules•Racking•Stand off•Flashing•Wire Management•Grounding•Junction Boxes•Conduit•Roof Condition/Damages

2.Inspect components at ground level:•Main Service Panel•Wire Sizing•Breaker Size•Interconnection•Monitoring System•Inverter•Disconnects






Solar Dirty Dozen

•Burnham conducted a study – Sample size of 100 reports•2010 released our first issued of Solar Dirty Dozen•2014 Part 2 of Solar Dirty Dozen released

Findings:

• Same issues• No improvement with

quality.


Solar Dirty Dozen

1. Manufacturer’s specifications violations

2. Shared raceways with high and low voltage wires

3. In appropriate roofing methodology use for attachments and penetrations

4. Poor wire management; resulting in “hangers,” pinched wires and unprotected

conductors

5. Improper grounding methods

6. Inappropriate use of wire nuts

7. Incorrect installation and/or inappropriate installation of a junction box

8. Non-compliance with NEC Code 705.12 Point of Connection that addresses the

Opposite End Rule (NEC Code 705.12(D)(2)) and the 100% Rule Violation (NEC Code

705.12(D)(2))

9. Conduit not properly supported or attached

10. Incorrect installation of an end clamp and/or mid clamp

11. Incorrect labeling of wire and color coding

12. Warning Labels and Signage


100% Center Fed Violation Exposed Conductors

Solar Dirty Dozen


Solar Dirty Dozen

Mid Clamp installed incorrectly End Clamp installed incorrectly


Solar Dirty Dozen

Improper flashing

Opposite End Rule


Solar Dirty Dozen


Solar Dirty Dozen

L3, used for 208v 3 phase, of an Enphase trunk cable incorrectly installed to a neutral on a 240v system


Solar Dirty Dozen


Solar Dirty Dozen

Main breaker severely downsized.

Floating box.


Services

•Inspection Services•QA Inspection•Vetting Inspection•Compliance Inspection

•BurnhamEYE inspection

Application•System documentation•Quality Review

•Permitting Services


Contact Information & Resources

John [email protected]

Drew [email protected]

Lyleen [email protected]

Resources:Brooks Engineeringwww.brooksolar.com

John WilesNew Mexico, Southwest Technology Dev.Institutewww.nmsu.edu

International Renewable Energy Councilwww.irecusa.org

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)www.nabcep.org

National Electrical Code

Documents

Www.burnhamnationwide.com Solar Inspections by Drew Johnson and John Dalton Burnham Energy, Inc